West Nile fever

West Nile fever is caused by infection with the fla-vivirus West Nile virus (WNV). The mosquito is the vector of transmission, specifically the Culex, Aedes, and... 

Mansonia mosquitos as well as some ticks, with birds as intermediate hosts (see Table 23.7—Clinical Profile of West Nile Fever). Historically, WNV was endemic to Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. Scientists from the CDC believe the virus migrated to the eastern United States in the summer of 1999 or possibly earlier. The continued expansion of the virus in the United States indicates that it is permanently established in the Western Hemisphere (refer to Figure 23.7—2005 West Nile virus activity in the United States.). In the temperate zones, cases occur primarily in the late summer or early fall, whereas in the southern climates the virus can be transmitted year round (CDC, 2005e). Birds, mosquitoes, and equines serve as sentinel animals that could alert health officials to the occurrence of human disease. 

Figure 23.8 The Cu/ex mosquito, one of the species responsible for transmission of West Nile fever. CDC Public Health Image Library.

Organophosphate poisoning Psittacosis Typhoid fever West Nile fever... 

Staphylococcus food poisoning, 215-217 Sulfur mustard poisoning, 403-406 Tetrodotoxin poisoning, 414-417 Thallium poisoning, 418-421 Trichinellosis, 222-226 Trichothecene poisoning, 422-425 Typhoid fever, 232-236 Typhus - epidemic, 237-241 Typhus - murine, 242-245 Typhus - scrub, 246-249 Viral gastroenteritis, 254-256 West Nile fever, 261-265 Yellow fever, 270-273 Yersiniosis, 274-277... 

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Emergency Preparedness and Response Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases. In addition, many public health diseases are included that may require differentiation from terrorist biological events, such as Avian Influenza, Chickenpox and West Nile Fever. 

A reduction of the vector population through elimination of larval breeding sites and use of larvicides may be one of keys for the prevention of dengue fever and West Nile fever outbreaks. An increase in the number of WNV-infected patients on the west coast of the USA caused the first domestically imported case in Japan in 2005. Establishment of national countermeasures, such as strengthening of quarantine organizations and vector surveillance around the international air and seaports, is needed in the absence of an effective vaccine. Extensive source-reduction countermeasures of mosquito larvae by local government and individuals must be developed at a community level. 

West nile fever Emerging viral disease new to the USA, transmitted by mosquitoes, causing seizures and encephalitis lethal to crows. 

Japanese encephalitis St. Louis encephalitis West Nile fever Oropouche WE encephalitis VE encephalitis... 

West Nile Fever " Started 3/1/2006 Drug VRC-WNVDNA020-00-VP... 

West Nile fever This has become an important disease in the United States and Canada in recent years. The elderly are at most risk of severe disease. Repellents would te needed when a risk alert has been given... 

---